THE Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) and Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines (Sweap) held the first-ever national sports fest on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II, Cebu City.
The event marked the first sport fest in the 74 years of existence of DSWD.
The DSWD regional offices were divided into five clusters: Cluster 1 being Northern Luzon (Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley), Cluster 2 with Central Luzon (National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Central Office), Cluster 3 for Southern Luzon (Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region), Cluster 4 with Visayas, including Central Visayas; and Cluster 5 for Mindanao.
Career Executive Service Office (CESO) II assistant secretary Rodolfo Santos said the program aims to promote physical and mental well-being among DSWD employees.
“This is a historical milestone where we bring together champions of the different regional offices to compete with each other, which will foster strong relationship, collaboration, and teamwork among the DSWD offices and its personnel in the entire DSWD,” he said.
Sweap national president Rolly Langaga expressed satisfaction, noting that this national sports fest has been a long-held dream for both DSWD and Sweap.
Langaga also emphasized the overarching theme of “Calm-R,” an acronym representing:
Celebration. A celebration of the association, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of Sweap members and DSWD personnel.
Advocacy. Part of Sweap’s advocacy for work-life balance and mental health, aims to alleviate stress in the workforce.
Life. Bringing life and inspiration, with joy extended to both participants and spectators.
Motivation. Serving as a motivation for employees, though sustainability efforts for the event are still being explored.
Renewal. A renewal of strength for the welfare programs of DSWD personnel, reinforcing their commitment to public service through a balanced lifestyle that includes sports.
Langaga also said that they chose Cebu City as venue for the event, as it a “strategic location.”
“Ito po ay nasa gitna ng gerograpiya ng Pilipinas. Sila ang willing to sponsor this event. And yung facility, medyo nahihirapan po kami. Dito po ay may nakita po kaming willing magbigay ng facility sa ating national sportsfest,” he said.
(This is located at the center of the Philippines. They are willing to sponsor this event. As for the facility, we’ve been having some difficulty, but here, we found someone who is willing to provide a venue for our national sportsfest.)
Mutual Benefit Association Incorporated (MBAI) chairperson Rodolfo Santos said a memorandum of agreement was executed with Sweap, Social Welfare Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SWEMC), and Prosper, with plans to organizations and regional offices.
He said the MBAI is always ready to support any organization in promoting growth and well-being of DSWD employees’ health and welfare.
“This is not just for a few associations of Sweap because we fully support the development and empowerment of all ages in DSWD,” he said.
The association has also taken charge of donating trophies and cash prizes for the winners.
The Sweap Sportsfest will play on June 24 to June 28, 2025.
“So looking forward sa mga mananalo at mga hindi mananalo, dahil sila ay mabibigyan pa ng pagkakataon para sa mga susunod na mga activities na atin pong pagtutulungan, at ang MBAI ay palagi pong andiyan na susuporta sa lahat po ng adhikain na makabubuti po sa kalagayan ng ating mga DSWD,” Santos said.
(We’re looking forward to seeing both the winners and those who may not win, because they will still be given opportunities in future activities that we will work on together. MBAI will always be there to support all initiatives that will help improve the welfare of our DSWD personnel.) (Antonette Caren Arrabis, CNU intern/Dane Riechel Oja, VSU intern)